Ask the Rabbi with Rabbi Chaim Mintz
People invest significant amounts of money and effort to be buried in Israel, but is there really any spiritual benefit? And how can the delay caused by transporting a body from abroad be justified when Jewish law forbids postponing burial?
Is there a Spiritual Benefit to Burial in Israel?
Rabbi Chaim Mintz responds:
While there are spiritual benefits to being buried in Eretz Yisrael (Israel), there are differing opinions whether it is always appropriate to transport a body from outside the land.
Burial in the Holy Land Brings Atonement
The Rambam (Melachim 5:11), based on the Gemara (Ketubot 111a), writes that being in Eretz Yisrael brings a measure of atonement to a person. While the primary atonement comes from living there, simply being buried in Eretz Yisrael also provides some atonement. For this reason, the Rambam explains, great sages would bring their relatives to be buried there, as we see in the Torah regarding Yaakov and Yosef.
Techiyat Hameitim: Resurrection and Burial Location
Another benefit of burial in Israel is related to techiyat hameitim (resurrection of the dead). Our Sages (ibid) teach that those buried outside of Israel will endure the painful process of rolling underground to reach the Holy Land, while those buried there will be spared this ordeal.
Delaying Burial for the Sake of Honor
Although Jewish law mandates that the dead be buried before nightfall, delaying burial is permitted when done to honor the deceased, such as if relatives are traveling from afar to attend the funeral. Since being buried in Eretz Yisrael is considered an honor for the deceased, delaying the burial for this purpose is also permitted. This is evident from Yaakov, who insisted on being buried in Eretz Yisrael—even though this caused a significant delay in his burial.
Not Without Controversy: Opposition to Transporting the Deceased
However, many great rabbis were hesitant about bringing bodies to Eretz Yisrael for burial. There is a debate about this in the Talmud Yerushalmi (Kilayim 9:3), where the story is told of a rabbi who, upon witnessing a casket being brought into Israel, expressed disapproval, declaring, “Why do those who abandoned Eretz Yisrael in their lifetime now come to defile it with their dead bodies?” Rather than being a merit, their burial in Israel may instead serve as an indictment against them for not having lived there during their lifetime.
Rabbinic Opinions on the Practice
Because of this concern, when Rabbi Moshe Feinstein’s illustrious son-in-law, Rabbi Moshe Shisgal, passed away, Rabbi Feinstein deliberated over whether his body should be sent for burial in Israel. Ultimately, he decided that due to Rabbi Shisgal’s exceptional righteousness, it should be. Based on this, Rabbi Feinstein’s family understood that Rabbi Feinstein himself should certainly be buried in Eretz Yisrael.
What Don’t We Do for Family?
Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetsky also did not approve of it, and one of his reasons was that it is a mitzvah for children to visit their parents’ graves, and burial in Israel could make that more difficult. When a student expressed surprise and asked, “But what about the merit of being buried in Eretz Yisrael?” Rabbi Kamenetsky responded, “What don’t we do for family?” Indeed, he himself purchased a plot in New York and was buried there.
Extra Burial Funds can Rather Support Torah
Additionally, Rav Shach quoted the Chafetz Chaim as saying that the money spent on transporting a body for burial in Israel would be better used to support Torah. Rabbi Yosef Eliyahu Henkin shared this view as well.
A Personal Decision, Best Made with Rabbinic Guidance
Burial in Israel is a complex issue with numerous considerations and differing opinions. But bear in mind that anyone who is deserving will indeed merit resurrection, even those buried in the Diaspora, albeit more painfully. As the Gemara (Gittin 57b) states, even one who drowns at sea will be resurrected. When making this decision, consult a rabbi who is familiar with your spiritual level and personal circumstances to determine the most appropriate course of action.
In Short: Key Considerations for Burial in Israel
Burial in Israel provides atonement and may ease techiyat hameitim. Delaying burial for this purpose is permissible to honor the deceased. Some rabbis oppose transporting bodies to Israel out of fear it may indict the deceased for failing to settle there while alive. Others are concerned that it will make visiting difficult for the children, while others prefer that the funds be used to support Torah.
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